//------------------------------// // Joining Forces // Story: This is what we do // by Foxgear //------------------------------// This is what we do Chapter 21 By Foxgear Sonata paces the floor nervously, the patter of her bare blue feet her only companion as she glances out the living room window for the hundredth time. The palms of her hands were sweaty making the grips of her guns slick. She set her pistol on the coffee table rubbing her hands on her pant legs to clean off the sweat. Falling on Mac’s lazy boy she checks her phone, no messages from Mac and the others. She was freaking out after Mac’s frantic call awhile ago and brought him a literal truck full of guns. The urgency of his tone had her looking over her shoulder, out the window, and jumping at every little noise thinking something was going to jump out and attack her! Picking up her gun again she sits with her knees pulls against her chest on the chair, the gun firmly between her palms. “Everything’s ok, no need to panic. Everything’s fine. They just haven’t called yet… after an hour and a half.” Her stomach grumbles for food, but she didn’t think she would be able to keep it down with her nerves so frayed. If only Aria wasn’t bedridden, she would be so much calmer. “Oh shit, Aria! I forgot to check on her!” Running up the stairs Sonata made a beeline for Aria’s room at the end of the hall, her breathing frantic as she sticks her head into her sister’s room. A sigh of relief escapes her lips as she found Aria safe and sound, still rolled up in her blankets, her purple and teal hair sticking out of the top of the blanket. Realizing she was being ridiculous Sonata, much more quietly, went back downstairs and fell on the couch with an oaf! Maybe some TV would calm her down. Her stomach rumbles again. A snack wouldn’t hurt either she figures jumping to her feet, it was about dinnertime anyway. Humming a soft tune, she enters the kitchen and begins ravaging the cupboards, they didn’t keep a lot of premade treats around, but there should be a bag of cookie dough. “Where is it at?” She grumbles knocking several boxes of various ingredients aside. She was about to scream thinking someone made and then ate HER cookies when the oven timer suddenly went off! She whips around, suddenly the smell of fresh baked cookies fills the room, the temperature gauge of the oven reading 350 degrees. Sonata peers into the living room then checked in the bathroom and then looks outside. Nobody besides her and Aria was in the house and there were no new cars in the yard, and she knew she didn’t set the oven. Back in the kitchen Sonata puts on an oven mitten and opens the oven door. The smell of fresh baked chocolate chip cookies fills the air. She inhales the aroma setting the cookies on the stove to cool. Only something was strange about the cookies. They weren’t in a normal shape, they weren’t circles, but letters and they formed words. “Evil get out,” Sonata read aloud, laughing nervously. “Hahaha…. What a funny joke whoever did this! Using an entire batch of cookies to write a creepy message without getting the bowl, spoons or anything out or making any sound what’s so ever. Yeah, really funny! Ok, COME OUT NOW!” She grabs her gun turning in circles, pointing at the doors and windows. “I’m warning you!” “So am I,” A chilling voice said, the room became cold, causing a chill to run down her spine as she slowly turns her head to see the see-through image of an older looking Applejack. She knew who the woman was, her picture was an over the house. She was Applejane, Mac’s mother. “You should really get out of here.” The ghost of Applejane said fading away. Her jaw fell open, “Holy shit… Adagio was right this place is haunted!” Sonata takes the E cookie and eats it. “Wow, these are good too! I wonder if she left a note with the recipe?” The cookie sheet suddenly flips over, the cookies spelling “GET OUT” landing at her feet as a thump comes from upstairs! “Aria!” Rushing upstairs Sonata skids to a stop in front of Aria’s room, the door wide open, Aria was on the floor, her loose hair falling around her a puddle of black vile stains the carpet. Her heart jumping out of her chest in panic Sonata rushes to her sister’s aid, pulling Aria’s head onto her lap. “Aria! Aria! Aria speak to me! What happened? What…” Sonata rubs the black vile on her hand, it was slick to the touch, like oil, she tried to wipe it off on her pant leg, but it wouldn’t come off! “What is this stuff?” She stares at her stained hand, the oily black vile suddenly traveling down her arm! “Holy crap!” Clawing at her arm Sonata falls back against the wall, trying to keep the vile from consuming her, but it only spreads, now her other hand is covered in it and so was her leg! The vile on her pants disappeared, but she could feel the oily texture call up her leg. Lifting her shirt, she saw black veins crawling up her stomach! “Oh, gods, oh gods! What is this stuff?” Sonata rolls away from the puddle and Aria, her arms completely covered in black veins. Looking under her shirt she saw the vein on her stomach were racing up her breasts towards her heart. Her hearts rate spikes as she watches the veins travel up her skin. A sudden hiss catches her attention and Aria rises up, her movements jerky and uncoordinated, like she was possessed. A teal snake with purple wings slithers from under Aria’s hair, flashing its fangs at her. “Did you do this! Answer me you damn snake!” Sonata roars pulling up her fists. Pain suddenly erupts throughout her body, like her nerves were being fried and she fell limply to the floor. Aria and the snake stalk towards her. “Aria… Aria don’t! You're strong! Fight it!” Sonata pleads as the snake slither’s down Aria’s arm and poses to strike. Sonata closes her eyes. “ARIA!” In the basement of Maddie’s old lab, Mac leans against one of Maddie’s cabinets, while Applejack sat on a table with her legs dangling over the side, besides in the only two chairs not broken were Twilight and Sunset, while Adagio hung off his arm. They all sat in silence, looking at the man smoking atop the charred remains of the Gore he had slain. The sound of a door opening and closing caught their attention as Moon Dancer arrived with a tray of cups of coffee. The former mad scientist’s helper passed out the cups to them all. Her gaze briefly lingered on Twilight, and the same for the lavender girl. They looked so similar they could be sisters. It was uncanny. “Here,” Moon Dancer said handing Mac his cup before moving to Ferocious. It was obvious Moon Dancer was afraid of the red man, her kneed knocking as she hands Ferocious the last cup of coffee. Which Ferocious took with a rough “Thank you” taking a sip before returning to his cigarette. Moon Dancer tucks the tray under breasts and quickly moves away from Ferocious, choosing to hide behind Twilight and Sunset. They all take a sip of coffee. Waiting for someone to speak first. To no surprise, his sister was the first to speak. “So…” Applejack began looking at her reflection in the coffee and then Ferocious. “Your Mac and I’s godfather?” Ferocious nods. “You were also Uncle Feri too? And you hunted monsters with dad?” A smile graced Ferocious’s lips, “I always wondered if you actually knew my full name. Luna had a habit of calling me Feri when we’re dating and hanging out with your parents. I remember this one time you tried to say Ferocious and all that come out was a garbled mess of letters. I see those speech lessons didn’t get rid of your drawl either. But yeah, I was your Uncle Feri once upon a time.” Mac observes the red man’s expression, he seemed, happy. “Is there a reason we barely remember you or Luna?” He asks. “You didn’t magic our memories or something? Did ya?” “I thought about it,” Ferocious answers. “After your parents died I broke up with Luna and kept monster hunting with my friend Stryker. I decided to keep my distance from both you kids and Luna. I figured it would be the best way to keep you safe from magic. Not that it did any good, magic seems to have found you just fine.” “That doesn’t explain why we barely remember you, or Luna being around when were younger. We didn’t even know she was our godmother until recently.” Applejack spoke up before Mac could continue. Ferocious sighs. “I’ll make this clear. I didn’t use magic to mess with your memories. Not that I could, that’s more of Stryker’s thing. But given some of the things I’ve seen during my time as a cop and Detective for CPD. The trauma of losing both your parents probably was a factor. Since Luna and I chose to keep our distance we probably just faded into your memories. You were grieving, living with your grandmother, dealing with a younger sister that didn’t understand what was happening and dealing with school and normal life. Let’s not forget the factor of time, it’s been several years since we last saw each other. Disregarding my visit, the last time I even spoke to you kids was Nico’s funeral.” “I remember that you were one of the casket bearers. You also stayed with me at the grave sight till I was ready to go.” Mac said, the once fuzzy memory now clear as crystal, though he felt like he was forgetting something else, he swore there was someone else at the grave with them. “That was the last time we spoke, but I doubt that was the last you saw us? Right?” Ferocious nods, “I checked up on you every once in a while. I’d go to your sporting events or concerts when I could. I kind of stopped recently since things seem to be going ok. Kind of figures the moment I took my eyes off you, magic creeps not your life, on top of that you go and get frisky with one of the sirens.” “Nice to see you again too,” Adagio mutters, her arm tightens around Mac’s. He could feel her claws pressing against his skin. Even with her touching him she was still close to she-demoning out, it spoke volumes about how much of a threat his wife found the man before them. Not that Mac could blame her. Feri took down a Gore, a small one, but still a Gore with less effort, time, and injuries them him, Kira and Maddie combined. There was no doubt the man was powerful. “So, do I need to get your blessing?” She adds, eyeing Ferocious distrustfully. “Or are you just going to try and roast me alive like you tried to Aria? Because Mac wouldn’t like that.” “Oh God, stop with the games… which one are you again?” “Adagio,” His wife answers with bite, her canine teeth much more pronounced than normal. “Don’t act like you didn’t know either, we not identical, and we know you’ve been snooping around.” “Of course, I did,” Ferocious scoffs. “I walked the entire town with Bailey to hear how you girls have been behaving. Your real popular around town it seems. I hear Sonata makes a good cookie. Gotta say I’m surprised you girls took over a new leaf. Almost as much as a surprise as you Sunny. I guess Nico was better at seeing the light in people then I am.” Sunset Shimmer blushes, “Thanks, I do my best. I owe Nico a lot. Mac too.” “So…” Applejack began drawing stares. “I know we have more pressing things to talk about, but I gotta ask if you and Luna are our godparents, why didn’t we end up with you? Not that I minded living with Granny, I’m just curious.” “I am as well,” Mac said. “At a surface glance you and Luna would have been the better choice, you were younger then Granny, a couple, and Luna was a teacher at the time. It seems weird Granny would be chosen as our guardian. I mean she’s healthy, but she’s not young either. The risk of something happening to her was much greater, plus she’d be raising three kids by herself.” “You got a point,” Ferocious chuckles humorlessly while nodding his head. “All of that was brought up in the custody battle. The lawyer… or was he a judge? Anyway, the local guy at the courthouse was in favor of me and Luna. He was a bit warily because we weren’t married, so there was a fear of what would happen if we broke up, but he was willing to look past that. The lady from the city… well, she would have been fine with Luna, the problem…” Ferocious’s expression saddens. “The problem was me. I was wild in my youth, I got into fights, I ran with Bikers, my official job was running the bar my mother left me. I wasn’t really a home run.” Feri’s fists tighten. “That… bitch from child services. She used my past to bash, Luna. Saying despite Luna being a teacher and a consular, she had poor judgment if I was her choice for a mate.” “I’m going to guess you didn’t let that slide?” Smirks Adagio, looking relaxed for the first time since the conversation started. Feri nods at her question. Her smirk turning devilish. “So, what did you do?” An equally devilish smirk appeared on Ferocious’s lips, making Mac and everyone scoot a few inches back. “I may have melted her car. She wasn’t in it, of course, it was an expensive car too. I just happen to be the officer responding to her call also. So, I got to see her expression up close and personal.” The room shares a chuckle and took a sip of coffee. Mac was about to push for more relevant questions, but Twilight raised her hand first, prompting another round of chuckles as she sat in her chair like she was in class. He wondered what… “How’d you become a cop let alone a Detective with your record? My brother been on the force for a few years since he graduated and he’s an Alumni for Crystal Prep and has a clean record.” “The CPD isn’t what you would call a… clean… police force. My boss, Thorax, his mother is, Chrysalis Blackthorn, the State Attorney General, she’s in bed in all senses of the word with the current governor Torch and… did you really not find it strange that both the Chief of Police and Deputy Chief were brothers? Or the fact both of them were under forty?” He got nothing but blank stares. “Right, most of you can’t even vote yet, why would you care. Anyway. It was actually thanks to my and Stryker’s shady pasts that we rose through the ranks, also I went to high school with the chiefs, so we knew each other a little bit and got some strings pulled. We said we’d take all the ‘weird’ crimes, IE, crimes that were most likely monsters attacks. We don’t tell the truth, but we closed cases fast and cleanly and that’s what the higher-ups like.” Deciding to take back the reins of the conversation, Mac spoke up, “How many monsters attacks have there been? What kind of monsters have you been finding? Where have they been appearing?” “Whoa, slow down there one thing at a time.” Ferocious grumbles waving his hand around. Noticing his cigarette was burned down the to the filter Feri fishes into his pocket for his pack and draws another with his teeth. Snapping his fingers, he creates a flame on his thumb and lit the cancer stick. Everyone waiting patiently for him to finish. “Alright let me think… do you want to know how many monster attacks in just this year or overall?” “Both,” Mac asks grimly, his stomach doing flips. He probably wasn’t going to like the answer. “Alright, overall there have probably been, 273 attacks since I started at CPD, that would be four or five years now. Just this year alone there have been… maybe seventeen? That’s including the Cloudsdale Slaughter, and our pending investigating involving a possible vampiric creature and the dust houses and the recent burning block case.” “Burning block?” Mac questions. “It’s the official name for the school attack. Some reporter made it up, now we got to use it. No leads yet if your wondering.” The room falls silent. Then Sunset raises her hand. Feri rolls his eyes, “This isn’t fucking school Sunny, just speak up!” “Right, sorry, so about the portal, the one in front of the school, Nico must have told you about it right?” Feri nods. “Did he ever find another one?” She asks with hope. Feri takes a long drag. “Nope. At least not one that we can use to cross to the other side. Not that I ever went through the old one. Hard to go through a portal that only opens every three years or so for three days.” He answers. “They changed that,” Adagio said. “Princess Twilight Sparke found a way to keep the portal open all the time.” Feri’s brow scrunched up, “Princess Twilight Sparkle? That’s a mouthful?” “Just to clarify I’m Twilight Sparkle, though I, not the princess, it’s confusing. I’m her human counterpart and she’s…” Twilight pauses blushing. “My pony princess counterpart I guess.” Ferocious looks amused, “Don’t look so embarrassed. I’ve had to deal with this magic crap for all my life. It was kind of relief when I met Nico, for once I didn’t feel like the only freak that grew ears.” Mac and Applejack exchange confused looks, “Wait…” Applejack began, “You were born with magic?” Mac finishes. “You’re like us? You have an Equestrian parent?” “Better, I had two, both of my parents, Lon and Swan, were from Equestria. They got here in a similar, yet different way than Nico, only a few years earlier. I was… twenty-one when I first ran into Nico. But yeah,” He said pulling his sword from his back and jabbing it into the ground, igniting it into flames. “I’ve been dealing with magic all my life. Of course, my parents didn’t tell me they were magic talking ponies from another world. At least not until Nico showed up. I just through I was mutant or something. Course back then I only knew how to go first gear, I just got the ears and could light my sword on fire. After hanging out with Nico and a few years of experience, I gained wings and so much more, I can go full throttle now.” “Full Throttle?” They all ask in unison. “Right, right, I’ll explain,” Feri says. “I don’t know how you guys envision your magic, but when Nico was teaching me he used an engine analogy. I think of my magic like fuel and my body like a motor, and I adjust the throttle in my mind to determine how much power I want to use. Stryker and I break up our power into three stages or gears if that’s simpler. The first stage is just pony ears, second stage or half throttle is ears and wings, and the third stage is ears, wings, tail, and a whole lot of power. Sometimes I’ll get talons on my feet and I’ll start turning into a firebird pony monster if I don’t keep control. I try to keep the magic I can’t handle channeled into my sword so I don’t go berserk. But yeah, what you saw today was my Full Throttle Flame, that’s my max.” “That’s a lot simpler then what we do,” Applejack sighs. Earning a curious look from Ferocious. “We have our base form I guess, some of us get ears and others get ears and wings, but we all grow ponytails. Then we have our rainbow form, we get some color added to our hair, now we have the geodes which give us magic without transforming and then we have the crystal forms that give us superheroes like costumes and stuff. The clothes seem to change too. Really we mostly use the Geode forms now.” “That sounds like a mess. How about you Adagio? What do you do without those gems?” Adagio smirks pecking Mac’s cheek, gaining pony ears, “I feed on Mac’s good energy or any willing (Or unwilling) donor. Mac mostly has his base form with the ears, but after training with your equestrian counterparts, he’s gained dragon abilities. Since Nico was a dragon pony, it only makes sense his children would inherit some of those traits. That might be the cause of Applejack’s strength.” Feri cocks his head, “Our counterpart?” “You explain it, hun.” Mac coughs, “Right, well it’s kind of embarrassing because I’ve seen them in both pony and human form, but you look a lot like a dragon pony by the name of Fierce Fury.” Feri chuckles, “Nico said that too.” “I think Luna mumbled something about Sixes being Stryker’s counterpart when she gave me your number.” That brought smile right off of Ferocious’s face. “What?” Mac questions. “Luna knows about magic too?” “The whole school does,” Mac clarifies. “Is that a problem?” Feri pinches his brow, a range of emotions going through his face. “I’m not going to says it’s not a problem. I’m just… I’m pissed, to be honest. I gave up everything I had with Luna to keep her safe and now she knows about magic anyway? That’s a low blow, but maybe’s it’s what I get for thinking I could keep you all save and ignorant. I tried and sacrificed but in the end, all my efforts were for nothing. All you kids got dragged into this magic shit anyway, so did Luna, then, of course, there’s my failure for not keeping a better eye on Maddie’s activities.” He shoots a glare towards Moon Dancer. “Still from what Nyxia told me you found some light inside her too.” “You know Nyx too?” “Why do you think she’s still alive? We’re actually pretty good friends now.” If your friends scream in terror when you pay them a visit, Feri chuckles silently. Nyx probably didn’t expect to see him again after Nico died. “But that’s enough talking about the past. Time to get down to business. Starting with the fact that these monsters were clearly here to get you, Moon Dancer. Any reason why?” “I don’t know,” The former mad assistant insisted. “I’ve never seen an organized monster attack like this. I’m more concerned about Maddie, she went through the portal and I haven’t heard from her since. She might be trapped on the other side!” “I’m trapped here too,” Sunset laments, tears threatening to fall. “I just started reconnecting with my grandmother too.” “As much as I said I didn’t want Sixes and the others help, it’s a bit different now knowing were on our own. Should have known those words would come back to bite me,” Mac grumbled. Now wishing he had let Sixes station some Night Patrollers here. “That being said, the portal was built on their side of the mirror. It’s possible they’re already building another one.” He looks at Sunset. “Sixes and Celestia defiantly wouldn’t leave you stranded here.” He told her, Sunset smiles, knowing he was right. “Speaking of Princess Sunbutt,” Adagio said much to the ire of Sunset Shimmer. The siren ignores the glare. “You still have that book, right?” Sunset blinks. “My book… AH! MY Dairy! That’s right I can still contact Equestria!” She frantically looks behind her, feeling for the backpack that wasn’t there. “Oh, right I left that at school. We need to go get it! I’m sure it’s buzzing up a storm by now.” “Hold it!” Ferocious said stabbing the floor with his sword. “We’re not done here. We need a plan. Starting with this, Moon Dancer do you have any DNA of Maddie’s?” “Um, yeah, here in the lab, but why?” “There was blood at the scene this morning. Forensics has it now if Maddie went through the portal, there is a chance she came back through and was attacked by whatever destroyed the school. You, Mac, and I will go the station and get a comparison done. Meanwhile, the rest of you girls can go back home and get this… diary and contact your friends on the other side and see what’s up.” Adagio suddenly let out a curse, “Shit, I should call Sonata.” She pulls out her phone and began walking for the stairs, mumbling, “No fricken signal down here.” That reminded Ferocious, he should call Stryker and bring him up to speed. Following Adagio’s path upstairs he felt Mac’s eyes on him. He was probably worried they might try to kill each other. Not an unfounded fear, so when he reached the top of the stairs Ferocious found Adagio messing with her phone and went in the opposite direction to stand outside on the southeast side of the library. He dials Stryker’s number and quickly gives him an update. “So, they know huh. Fate sure played you like a fool.” Stryker said over the speaker. “I guess that’s means you can get back together with Luna.” “Maybe, let’s focus on the dangerous matters first. You have the blood sample?” “Yeah, the forensic team left about half an hour ago. I’ll be on my up soon to make a report.” Feri hums, “I’m already up here. I can give the report to the chief if you want to stick around and look for clues.” “Sounds good, I’ll see if I can find any leads.” The call ends. Feri pocket his phone just in time to hear Adagio curse hers and sit on the steps and pout. Grumbling about her sister not picking up. He pulls a cigarette from his pocket and was about to light it when he notices he was upwind from her. Walking halfway down the stairs so he was downwind before lighting his smoke. “Thanks,” She said looking pouty. Her head resting on her palms. “No problem.” An awkward silence falls between the two old enemies. “It wasn’t personal,” Adagio said suddenly. “Trying to kill you guys. We were hoped up on dark magic, we struggled to survive for so long then when things finally got good we wanted to kept it that way, at any cost.” She touches the spot where her jewel used to hang. “Of course, we didn’t realize we lost ourselves along the way. We were sisters, but we didn’t act like it, not anymore. My mother would ground me for life if she knew of the things I did and said to Sonata and Aria.” “Am I supposed to pity you?” Adagio giggled, “I’d rather you not. I’m just… letting things vent. We’ re supposed to be allies now. We should try to get along I guess.” “That’s funny, coming from you,” Feri said puffing out a cloud of smoke. “I see you have instincts to protect your young, you would have jumped me if you weren’t holding Mac’s arm. The fact that you’re not now, means you trust me?” “Maybe,” Adagio answers coyly. “I’m not sure how this is supposed to work. I used to attack everyone besides Mac and my sisters, I even attacked Applejack and Sunset, but I don’t anymore. I think it started with Applebloom, she has a power all her own. I don’t know if that’s playing a factor or if my brain is filtering out friend and foe now. Because suddenly I don’t feel the change boiling up.” “Your asking the wrong person, regardless, I’ll keep you safe, all of you, you and your sisters included. Your Apples now.” “That has to be the corniest things I’ve ever heard,” Laughs Adagio, her smile bright. “But I appreciate it, Ferocious. When you decide to go after Luna, I’ll give you a hand. She and I are gamer buddies after all.” Mac and the others exit the library, the time has come for them to go, to hunt. Ferocious, Mac and Maddie head towards the police station, while Adagio leads the girls back to the vehicles. At the base of the stairs, the siren turns and shouts. “Happy hunting.” Deep in the hills outside of Canterlot Spite sits crossed legged staring over a map of the area, Twilight’s remade medallion in her grip, the alicorn amulet inserted into the purple locket. Behind her the haggard moans of Maddie echo through the steel shed, the mad scientist’s face obscured in the shadows while a narrow beam of light shines on her bloodly and bruised body. On the map lay six game pieces, all different colors, she adds a red making seven total with the arrival Ferocious. An unexpected development she muses watching the group separate through the eyes of her snake familiar. Her fingers palm the medallion plans forming in her brain. “What should I send next? What do you think mother?” Maddie coughs in response, gagging as she coughs up another mouth full of blood and spits it on the floor. “Hmm, you right,” Spite gleefully says through the chipper tone of Pinkie’s voice. “I should send something fun, something… big. No several big things. Yes, I think I know what I want.” She lays the medallion on the map. Magic oozes out of the medallion turning the map into a 3D light board. With her finger, she circles the locations where she wants her monsters to appear. With her other hand, she scrolls through Maddie’s phone, looking through her list of monsters. Smirking she presses her finger on the beasts of her choice. “Let the fun begin.”